Serve your punch in a bowl carved from a watermelon.
If you're having a party, dinner or a celebration and don't have a punch bowl for the occasion, there's no need to worry. It's not necessary to spend your hard-earned money on a bowl that's difficult to store and used only a few times a year. Create your own punch bowl from a watermelon. The task is a bit time consuming but you don't need any special tools. On the day of the party, fill the watermelon with fruit juices, your favorite punch recipe or a purchased drink mix. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Punch Bowl
1. Cut a thin slice off the bottom of the long side of the watermelon with a sharp knife so it stays stationary and doesn't wobble. Cut as little of the rind off as possible.
2. Slice off about 2 inches of the other long side of the watermelon. Discard the slice.
3. Scoop out the red flesh until the pale green inner rind is exposed. Save the flesh. Do not pierce the rind through or the watermelon punch bowl will leak. If you like, make a decorative rim to the punch bowl by cutting out triangles all around the rim. You could also scallop the edges of the punch bowl, if desired.
4. Fill the watermelon with water, keeping track of how many cups it takes to fill it to within an inch of the top. This tells you how much punch it holds so you'll make enough -- and let you know if you've caused a leak by cutting too deeply.
5. Wrap the hollowed-out watermelon in plastic wrap and put it in the refrigerator until it's party time.
Punch
6. Puree the removed watermelon flesh in a blender. Strain to remove pulp and any seeds. Fill two or three empty quart or two half-gallon cardboard juice containers with the watermelon juice. Freeze overnight.
7. Place the watermelon in its permanent location for the event. It's difficult to move a heavy, filled watermelon without the punch sloshing over the edges. Place flowers and leaves around the bottom of the punch bowl.
8. Pour the fruit juice and soda into the punch bowl in a 2-to-1 ratio. For example, if you use 2 qts. fruit juice, use 1 qt. soda. Don't fill the watermelon to the top.
9. Take one frozen watermelon juice container out of the freezer. Rinse in hot water for 30 seconds to loosen the juice from the cardboard container. Peel the cardboard off. Place the juice ice cube in the punch bowl. The frozen juice won't dilute the punch like ice cubes would. A big block of ice lasts longer and keeps the punch colder longer than smaller individual ice cubes.
Tags: punch bowl, punch bowl, watermelon with, your punch bowl, fill watermelon